(Left to right) Taiwanese and American translator Lin King, Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center Office in Santa Ana Beyru Shiau, Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi, and I-ting Chao (World Languages and Cultures). Photo by: Edison Kao (’25 Public Relations and Advertising)

Wilkinson College of Art, Humanities, and Social Sciences and the Department of World Languages and Cultures recently hosted Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi and Taiwanese and American translator Lin King to discuss their 2024 award-winning novel, Taiwan Travelogue. The book follows the fictionalized story of a Japanese author visiting Taiwan in the 1930s during Japan’s colonization. She and her interpreter, Miss Chizuru, travel by train and try locally significant dishes along the way, eventually developing feelings for each other.

The author’s discussion was arranged by I-ting Chao (World Languages and Cultures) and attended by students, staff, and community members. The event marked Yang and King’s second stop on their national book tour. Yang’s career spans the genres of fiction, literary criticism, and essays, with Taiwan Travelogue being one of her most acclaimed works. Initially published in Mandarin Chinese in 2020, the novel received Taiwan’s highest literary honor, the Golden Tripod Award. King, whose work has been featured in literary magazines such as Boston Review, translated the novel into English in 2024. Her translation was awarded the National Book Award for Translated Literature that same year, cementing it in history as the first Taiwanese book to do so.

During the event, King interpreted for Yang while adding her commentary. They outlined the meticulous process of writing and translating the novel while also speaking to its purpose as a critique of Taiwanese identity, which Yang argued has been diluted over the decades.

Yang explained using the novel’s “deceptive” narrative style (which initially caused controversy in Taiwan) highlights the oft-overlooked impact of women in history.

After the book talk, Yang and King fielded questions in Chinese and English, aiding in accessibility for attendees.

“Because it was an in-person bilingual event, with both Chinese and English, it was good exposure [to the Chinese language] because people got to ask questions in person,” Chao said.

Photo by: Edison Kao (’25 Public Relations and Advertising)

The event was as much a book talk as it was a community gathering. Students from different Chinese classes had the opportunity to socialize, with many serving as volunteers for the event. The department also provided Taiwanese snacks, such as guāzǐ (spiced watermelon seeds), allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the culture.

“Having all the Chinese program students in one room is so rare for us, so it was a precious time to come together, enjoy the event, and eat food together,” said Chao. “These events enhance the Chinese department because we get to invite people from outside of the Chinese program to learn what our program is all about.”

 

 

(Header photo: (LtoR) Taiwanese and American translator Lin King and Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi. Photo by Edison Kao (’25 Public Relations and Advertising))